Queen plans birthday treat

MEMBERS of the public will be given the chance to choose what goes on the Queen's menu at a special lunch for her 80th birthday, it was revealed today. A television programme will be launched in April to find the "perfect" four-course dinner made up of ingredients from around the UK.

MEMBERS of the public will be given the chance to choose what goes on the Queen's menu at a special lunch for her 80th birthday, it was revealed today.

A television programme will be launched in April to find the "perfect" four-course dinner made up of ingredients from around the UK.

The final menu will be chosen in a public poll and served at a City of London lunch being held on June 15 to mark the anniversary.

Other guests at the lunch will include the Duke of Edinburgh, the Lord Mayor and senior politicians.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said 14 of the country's top chefs would be taking part in the Great British Menu series.

Each will be given one of seven regions of the UK and asked to make four "innovative" dishes from the best local ingredients.

Judges will then whittle down the final choices before the public are asked to choose the best starter, fish dish, main course and dessert.

The seven featured regions will be the South West; South East; Midlands and East; North; Scotland; Wales and Northern Ireland.

Lord Mayor David Brewer, who will host the final lunch, said: "The City of London is proud to honour Her Majesty on behalf of the nation on this very special occasion.

"Food brings us all together - and through this event the whole country can take part."

BBC Daytime have commissioned Optomen TV to produce the programme, which will run every Monday to Friday evening for eight weeks on BBC Two.

Jay Hunt, controller of BBC Daytime, said: "It's fantastic that the best of the best, as chosen by the audience, will then be tasted by Her Majesty the Queen at the City of London's official lunch to celebrate her 80th birthday."

One of the chefs involved, John Burton-Race, said: "I am honoured that this series celebrates that British food has arrived, and very honoured to represent the South West.

"We've been lambasted the world over for having the worst food on the planet but it's not true.

"The South West has wonderful ingredients - shellfish, sea food, livestock - everything a cook could want.

"Great British Menu will show the range and quality of British food and success of British chefs."

The BBC would not name any of the other cooks involved but it is believed that celebrity chefs Gary Rhodes and Antony Worrall Thompson were among the 14 taking part.